A feature story highlights three recent neuro-findings that may explain various personality traits (and how to trump your own gray matter if it doesn’t predispose you to them). Using fMRI scans, researchers reporting in The Journal of Neuroscience revealed that bilingual participants required less energy in their brain’s frontal cortex—the area associated with short-term memory and mental dexterity—when completing various tasks. “A huge amount of research shows that activities to stimulate cognition are very valuable," said John L. Woodard, a professor of psychology and an aging expert at Wayne State University. "It doesn't need to be a second language. Play an instrument, join a choir, try creative writing, travel more often, or visit more museums. All of these will help."